Students Graduating in 2013 from the MFA in Studio Arts Program Showcase Works

Students graduating from the master's in fine arts (MFA) program will present their works in the MFA in Studio Arts Thesis Exhibitionoff campus at the Magnan Metz Gallery, 521 West 26th St., N.Y., from June 6-24. An Opening Reception will take place on June 6, from 6-8 p.m.

Entitled This Show Means Right Now, the exhibition will be curated by Matthew Nichols, the program's 2012-'13 visiting critic, featuring the following artists:

"The curious title of this show conveys a sense of urgency," he said. "Its assertive immediacy is reinforced by the partial strikethrough, which already casts the exhibition into the past. Blink and you’ll miss it. But, by privileging the passing moment over the exhibition itself, I think these artists are giving typographic form to their optimism. I suspect this show means right now because they [the students] view it less like an end point and more like a caesura in their unfolding lives as artists."

Nichols is quick to add, however, "This show may mean right now. But, right now means different things in this show."

As the current visiting critic, Nichols said it has been his pleasure and privilege to witness the students' evolution.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my weekly visits to their studios, our classroom discussions of texts and ideas, and the lively and probing debates about each artist’s work," Nichols said. "This group has impressed me with their sharp minds, honest exchanges of criticism, and the mixture of industry and risk that has propelled their work forward."

Program director Prof.
Andrew Atkinson agreed.

"We
are all very proud of the tremendous progress and rich works that the
students have made in the transformative process of the MFA," added Atkinson. "Each is well prepared for the next stage in their
artistic careers, and we look forward to following them in the years to
come."

Montclair State University's MFA in Studio Art
is a 60-credit degree program designed to further the growth of
students as practicing professional artists. Comprised of a diverse
group of faculty and students who share a vision to explore, synthesize,
innovate and create, the rigorous MFA is a full-time, two-year,
in-residence program that fosters opportunities for critical discourse
in an environment where individuals collaborate or work independently to
make meaningful contributions to contemporary culture.

Over the years, the program has invited an exceptional group of
artists, curators and visiting critics, such as Nichols, to the program to engage with
students in in-depth capacities. Other notables have included Eleanor Heartney, Roberta
Smith, James Rosenquist, Philip Pearlstein, William
Wegman, Shirin Neshat and Dana Schutz. Further information about the MFA program may be obtained by contacting program assistant Louise Davies, or its director Dr. Andrew Atkinson, or by calling (973) 655-4074.